EnerMech lands Sir David Attenborough hydraulics contract

20 September, 2017

Engineering services specialist, EnerMech, has been awarded a contract on the £150 million polar research vessel, the RRS Sir David Attenborough.

The new polar ship is commissioned by the National Environment Research Council, (NERC) is currently under construction at Cammell Laird’s Birkenhead shipyard. It will be operated by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and will transform how ship-borne science is conducted in the Polar Regions.

The new ship, named after world-famous naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, is part of a major Government polar infrastructure investment programme designed to keep Britain at the forefront of world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Aberdeen-headquartered EnerMech has been awarded the contract for the consultancy, manufacture, material supply, installation, hook-up and commissioning of hydraulic systems aboard the 128m long vessel.

The 18-month work-scope includes the design and install of the Scientific HPU & ring main, hydraulic installation of deck hatches, handling/launch equipment and all other hydraulic driven equipment. EnerMech will have a dedicated team on-site at the shipyard during the build process.

[subhead] Exacting requirements

EnerMech technical support manager, Neil McNaughton, commented: “We will be working in close contact with Cammell Laird and other main contractors including Rolls-Royce, to ensure that the vessel’s hydraulic systems conform to the exacting operational requirements of BAS and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) who have commissioned the build of this vessel.

“We are delighted to be contributing to such a unique project and the award underlines our versatility in being able to undertake a wide range of services out with our more traditional sectors such as oil and gas.”

The RSS Sir David Attenborough is due to be commissioned in summer 2018 and after extensive sea trials is expected to sail on its first Antarctic scientific voyage for the 2019/2020 season.